Lefty

And Medicare denies more claims than private insurers. And Medicare takes longer to pay out, from what I've read. Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

Yes, this incident has shown me the true benefits of living in a "free" society. Congratulations on your accomplishments. Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

The way this term is going, I'm pretty sure those in the 102 camp will be deducted at least 10 points based on their 2008 pick alone :) Only if they vote for him again. Everyone can be suckered once. Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

Might be time to rethink that. Especially with a ninety minute police response time. Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

Or he could have just blown them up with one of his illegal bombs instead. Or he could have shopped at the illegal gun market that would thrive under the "banning" of legal firearms. Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

A very fair question. Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

Beware of posters bearing chain letters. Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

See? Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

Mr. President, I'm beginning to smell a big fat commie rat. No easier way to let Obama sail into a second term than to help nominate a Republican who, as I've been hearing from the left for years, isn't presidential and has no chance to win. Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

Awesome! I love it. Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

And Cho's identification is after-the-fact, even. Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/mar/17/us-spy-operation-social-networks Is that what you are? Developed in a secret government lab, no doubt. He's that good. Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

Indeed. That's precisely the problem with public-sector unions: It's in the politicians best interests to give them what they want. Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

I'm not sure "buck" is the right word. If it were more beneficial, in a holistic sense, for the companies in the article to maintain their Chinese connections, you can be sure they would. Still, it's nice to see business concerns, not political concerns, sway the trend. Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

Very interesting. Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

Still in denial that Obama was able to capture the imagination of the voters? Fantastic. Good for you. But I'm not even talking about nation-wide support, I'm talking about support just within their own party. Right now, the GOP has NOBODY that gets them excited on a Presidential level. It's true there isn't a very viable Republican candidate at the moment, but "capturing the imagination of the voters" with focus group slogans isn't the same thing as being great. Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

It used to be people paid for medical care and had insurance to cover catastrophes. It's much like homeowner's insurance today. If your rain gutters need replacing, you pay for it. If your window breaks you pay for it. If a tree branch punctures your siding, you pay for it. If a tree crashes through your master bedroom, insurance covers it. Then, insurance came in to say, "Pay us a lot of money every month and we'll cover you for things with a small co-pay." Then the government moved in and said, "We shall cover the old folks and call it 'Medicare' and we shall determine how much doctors get paid, and it shall not be much." And the insurance companies said, "And we shall base our payments on Medicare codes and on the same amounts as Medicare." And the People smiled, for thy coughs and aches cost them very little and created increased demand. And the insurance companies paid little because that's what Medicare paid. And then Lot came to get insurance for his wife. "My wife is not doing well. She was told what to do but she did not heed advice given to her and is hard and dessicated but tastes good with french fries." And the insurance companies said, "we will not pay for her to be healed, for she was not insured when she turned to salt. This is worse than diabetes." And then the government said, "Insurance companies suck ass. Look at the wife of Lot - an innocent victim of insurance companies who will not pay to restore her electrolyte imbalance. Therefore, let us pass a law stating that all people must be part of insurance, thus giving everyone something to bitch about and all persons, sick, well, living or dead shall be covered." And the voices of Satan said, "But a federal requirement to do so would be a violation of the Commerce Clause." And the do-gooders said, "The Constitution is old and shouldn't work anymore." And they passed the law. And then they rested, for they said, "Insurance is good." And the Pharmaceuticals smiled, for they knew that it was good for them. And the people were happy for they would be covered, except for the large majority of people who had done things right and said, "Lord - we are melancholy, for although I am right, I am considered a liar; although I am guiltless, the arrow inflicts an incurable wound. I get not what I earned but am made to give to others." And the government said: "Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge? Where were you when I laid the plan's foundation? Tell me if you understand. Who marked off the dimensions? Shut your mouth, boy, for only you may finance this." And a year later, the people were uncovered and still bitching. Probably the best explanation yet. Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

From what I can tell the severability clause was left out at the insistence of the defendant in this case, and severability would be left to the discretion of the judges. Here is an excert from Vinson's opinion regarding that: "In the final analysis, this Act has been analogized to a finely crafted watch, and that seems to fit. It has approximately 450 separate pieces, but one essential piece (the individual mandate) is defective and must be removed. It cannot function as originally designed. There are simply too many moving parts in the Act and too many provisions dependent (directly and indirectly) on the individual mandate and other health insurance provisions--which, as noted, were the chief engines that drove the entire legislative effort--for me to try and dissect out the proper from the improper, and the able-to-stand-alone from the unable-to-stand-alone. Such a quasi-legislative undertaking would be particularly inappropriate in light of the fact that any statute that might conceivably be left over after this analysis is complete would plainly not serve Congress' main purpose and primary objective in passing the Act. The statute is, after all, called "The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act," not "The Abstinence Education and Bone Marrow Density Testing Act." The Act, like a defectively designed watch, needs to be redesigned and reconstructed by the watchmaker." The Administration and Congress kind of dug their own grave on that one. Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

Interesting factoid, if true, but the author still reaches the wrong conclusion. If one were forced by the government to dump his or her money into these "benefit" programs, what is hypocritical about wanting to recoup some of that money? Especially when one finds altruism for its own sake as disgusting as Rand did? That's merely an academic argument for my generation, though, since I'm pretty sure the Social Security Ponzi scheme will collapse before I get a chance to get the payout my taxes support. I'd rather not have the program in place at all, but since it's there, I'm not going to turn down money that is essentially mine that the government has been holding in a "lockbox" for my working life. Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

And from NPR: Unclear Whether Shooter's Motivation Was Political Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

Having Saddam be the catcher in a scene between him and a man of his own age would have resonated more. I take it you find psychological warfare objectionable? Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

Just giving the Obama administration the credit it wants. Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

U.S. Army Reserve, 2006-Present. Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin

Wow a Phyrric victory! I'm sorry, diplomatic yes... ahem. Phyrric Victory would be a little far fetched, most would never have the audacity to so so even though it is well within thier rights, I am intriged by what it is that makes people this way but no one can actually explain what is actually wrong. What are your thoughts on monopolies? Walmart know people do it, do you really think i was being sneaky? You must at least explain your I didn't think you'd see what I was driving at. You're currently establishing a very negative reputation for yourself among people who might not appreciate your nuanced view of the whole thievery issue, and these boards have a long memory. So, even if you do win the argument (according to some metric I couldn't begin to fathom), the perception of your character is paying a very high price for it. Anyway, just trying to help. Have fun! Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin